2003 Toyota Estima — MOT failures & pass rate
Across 722 MOT tests, the 2003 Toyota Estima recorded a 74.5% pass rate. MPVs of a similar age fail 29.8% of the time, so this is 4.3pp better than the group it competes with. Failures cluster in lighting & signalling, suspension and brakes.
What the MOT record shows
One area stands out: lighting & signalling, recorded in 19.3% of tests against 10.7% for the next-worst category.
At component level the recurring items are headlamp, headlamp aim and wipers — headlamp alone was recorded 64 times.
Mileage is the strongest signal on the record: 10.4% of 30-60k cars fail, rising to 32.9% once past 150k — 3.2× the risk.
Suspension is the most common advisory, noted on 44.2% of tests — work that passed today but is likely due soon.
How it compares
Top failure categories
| # | Category | % of tests affected | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting & signalling | 19.3% | 139 |
| 2 | Suspension | 10.7% | 77 |
| 3 | Brakes | 10.0% | 72 |
| 4 | Body, structure & corrosion | 7.2% | 52 |
| 5 | Visibility | 6.5% | 47 |
| 6 | Emissions & environmental | 5.3% | 38 |
Most common specific failures
The exact components most often recorded as failures — more specific than the categories above.
| # | Failure item | Times recorded |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Headlamp | 64 |
| 2 | Headlamp aim | 55 |
| 3 | Wipers | 37 |
| 4 | Rear fog lamp | 36 |
| 5 | Position lamp | 34 |
| 6 | Catalyst emissions | 33 |
Top advisory categories
Advisories aren't failures, but they flag work likely needed soon — useful when budgeting.
| # | Category | % of tests with advisory | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Suspension | 44.2% | 319 |
| 2 | Brakes | 33.1% | 239 |
| 3 | Tyres | 27.7% | 200 |
| 4 | Lighting & signalling | 26.0% | 188 |
| 5 | Emissions & environmental | 24.0% | 173 |
| 6 | Other defects | 13.2% | 95 |
Failure rate by mileage
Higher-mileage cars tend to fail more — often the most useful guide to real condition.
| Mileage band | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 30-60k | 48 | 10.4% |
| 60-90k | 106 | 17.0% |
| 90-120k | 129 | 27.1% |
| 120-150k | 159 | 21.4% |
| 150k+ | 277 | 32.9% |
Failure rate by age
By fuel type
| Fuel | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol | 531 | 25.6% |
| Diesel | 170 | 27.1% |
Trend over time
| Dataset year | Tests | Fail rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 134 | 26.9% |
| 2022 | 122 | 22.9% |
| 2023 | 112 | 24.1% |
| 2024 | 186 | 25.8% |
| 2025 | 168 | 26.8% |
What to check before buying a 2003 Estima
The failure pattern for this year is specific enough to inspect against: lighting & signalling accounted for 19.3% of tests. Start there.
- Lighting & signalling (19.3% of tests): Often a cheap bulb, but persistent issues can mean wiring or corrosion in the units. Typical repair: £10–£150.
- Suspension (10.7% of tests): Worn drop links, bushes, springs or shocks — listen for knocks over bumps and check for uneven tyre wear. Typical repair: £150–£450 per corner.
- Brakes (10.0% of tests): Pads/discs are routine wear; binding, imbalance or corroded pipes are more serious — test for pulling under braking. Typical repair: £100–£350 per axle.
Repair costs are rough UK ballpark ranges to set expectations, not quotes — actual prices vary widely by car, parts and garage.
Frequently asked questions
How many 2003 Toyota Estimas pass their MOT?
74.5% of the 722 2003 Toyota Estima MOT tests in this dataset passed — a 25.5% fail rate.
What is the most common MOT failure on a 2003 Toyota Estima?
Lighting & signalling, recorded in 19.3% of tests, followed by suspension (10.7%).
Does the 2003 Estima get worse with mileage?
Its MOT fail rate rises from 10.4% in the 30-60k band to 32.9% in the 150k+ band.
Methodology & source. Based on 722 MOT tests. Dataset: DVSA MOT testing data (2021,2022,2023,2024,2025). Data last updated 2026-07-27. Figures reflect MOT-testable defects only — read the methodology for how these are calculated and what they don't measure.